THE BOOK: Entertainment Finance

This book covers the financial aspects of each step of the motion picture and television content value chain from development, production, distribution, toprofit disbursements. It considers the implications of the financial choices made along the way. Regardless of whether you are a writer attempting to sell a script to an agent, manager, producer or studio; or a director searching for “the one that’ll hit big,” this book will help you to achieve that goal—whatever it may be.

The book is designed to accompany our courses, and it’s a useful tool to have on hand whenever you embark on your next project …

To be published July 1st, 2019 – Pre Order price $49 (regular price $69)

THE BOOK:

….

Entertainment Finance

=>How to finance, produce and distribute a film or television project profitably

This book covers the financial aspects of each step of the motion picture and television content value chain from development, production, distribution, to profit disbursements. It considers the implications of the financial choices made along the way. Obtain a solid understanding of how financial deals are structured in the entertainment industry today. Understand what kinds of projects are green-lit, why and how.

Regardless of whether you are a writer attempting to sell a script to an agent, manager, producer or studio; or a director searching for “the one that’ll hit big,” this book will help you to achieve that goal—whatever it may be.

This book opens the door for you to walk into the Hollywood industry with open eyes, and learn about the secrets no one shares with outsiders.

The first edition (paperback) can be pre-ordered now for $49

The regular price is $69

__________________________________________________________

How this book helps you

The purpose of this book is to reach anyone who is interested in jumping headfirst into the Hollywood business with the goal of acquiring profits by creating film or television content. Maybe you are a producer looking to develop projects that can get greenlit or financed. Or maybe you are an investor, or an accountant interested in the financial aspects of the industry, hoping to avoid the costly mistakes made by many others. Maybe you are a lawyer looking to help your clients by learning more about the financial aspects of the entertainment industry. Maybe you are a network executive who wants to understand the financial ins and outs of the industry in order to add value to your company. Or maybe you are an actor aiming to understand how you can make something happen yourself, rather than waiting for a casting call.

Hollywood is complex. Maneuvering through the intricacies of the entertainment industry is best learned from those who have experience along with a meaningful track record. This book does not just feature my personal perspective, but also includes insights from distinguished colleagues who have been working on the front lines of independent film and television for several decades.

Obtain a clear understanding of how film and television financing is secured, connecting the production budget to the financing, how to avoid budget risks, and finally, to provide an understanding of the various types of domestic and international distribution arrangements. You get a clear grasp of how profit participation structures work and learn about the important, and practical aspects and procedures of these structures, including terms and definitions that impact the bottom line.

Realize what kinds of projects are green-lit and why, how to budget your film or television project feasibly, and how to establish a reasonable budget as it relates to earning profits. Learn how to structure a solid financial plan, that can lead you to profits, and understand what deal structures are required to allow a project to complete the funding process in a way that leads to profitability.

That’s not all. The devil is in the detail of the agreements you enter. It is important to know the right terms to apply in order to optimally structure your agreements; including option and writer’s agreements, director agreements, cast deals, finance agreements, profit participation, and inter-party agreements, as well as distribution agreements, and many more. The focus is on transparency and profitability.

As a content provider and producer, it is essential that you relate to the needs of an investor and limit the investor’s risk. You must appreciate how you can go about putting your project together in a way that is attractive to an investor and in a way that it can also be successfully distributed.

As an investor, you learn how to secure your investment and how to detect, limit, and ideally avoid downsides. As you go through each chapter, you will notice that I share personal experiences of the challenges I have faced on my path as a financier and producer.

Here are a few unfortunate instances that happen every day in this business as a result of mistakes which can lead to loss of capital for an investor and loss of profit for a producer:

The budget is too high

The budget was too low, overages occurred and were not insured

The production started and the producer ran out of money

The production was stopped and the project was abandoned

The production started and the lead actor doesn’t show up, is sick, or injure

The director is driving the production over budget

The director is changing the script because he or she has a “new vision” for the film

The film is finished and has no distribution

The film is finished and is unwatchable

The project was produced, it had distribution, but no revenues were received

The project was finished, it was distributed, but the distributor didn’t pay

The film stopped shooting when the producer decided to take the money and run (instead of finishing the film)

The project was produced, delivered to the sales agent to sell, and he or she doesn’t perform

The project was overtaken r by the bank for non-payment of the loan

The project was taken over by the mezzanine lender for non-payment of the loan

The project was produced but the underlying rights were not cleared

The project was produced, distributed, and revenues are received, but no profits are being paid

These are just some of the very real issues one might face in this industry. The question is how to avoid them.

This book focuses on solutions and points out what to do about the aforementioned circumstances one faces in this industry. By the time you finish this book, you will be aware of all the key elements of financing a successful movie or television project and you will know how to position it to make a profit.

This book opens the door for you to walk into Hollywood with open eyes.

Through the chapters of this book, you embark on a journey which helps you gain a true understanding of…

how to create a globally viable project

how story development impacts profits

what green-light criteria are essential

how films and TV projects are financed

how to feasibly budget a project

what the various financial models entail

how to identify and eliminate risks for producers and investors

how the various models of financing can change the bottom line and what pitfalls to avoid

what contractual terms and conditions are important to ensure proper protection, funding, and profits on any given project

how to deal with lower versus higher budget projects

how to attract and secure talent

how to decide which talent optimizes a project’s value and its profits

how to secure distribution

how the U.S. and foreign markets work

how and why the market dictates which projects are made and for how much

when and how to approach investors

how to secure investors

how to prepare a business plan for your project that entices investors and distributors

how to manage revenues

how to ensure and protect profits

Gain a solid understanding of how financial deals are structured today.

The book “Entertainment finance” written by executive producer and financier Jeanette B. Milio is designed to accompany her courses, and it’s a useful tool to have on hand whenever you embark on your next project …